PPL eyes 24-mile power line upgrade in Pocono plateau

A proposed $33 million electrical line upgrade in the Pocono plateau is the subject of a public meeting Jan. 17. PPL Electric Utilities seeks Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approval to replace a single-circuit 69-kilovolt line with a double-circuit capable of eventually operating at 138 kilovolts.

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By DAVID PIERCE

poconorecord.com

By DAVID PIERCE

Posted Jan. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By DAVID PIERCE

Posted Jan. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

A proposed $33 million electrical line upgrade in the Pocono plateau is the subject of a public meeting Jan. 17.

PPL Electric Utilities seeks Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approval to replace a single-circuit 69-kilovolt line with a double-circuit capable of eventually operating at 138 kilovolts. Initial plans for the 24-mile-long line in Monroe County's Tobyhanna, Coolbaugh and Pocono townships, and Carbon County's Kidder Township, are to maintain it at 69 kilovolts after the upgrade, PPL spokesman Paul Wirth said.

"It's a fairly routine thing we do," Wirth said of replacing older lines with modern ones. This project is part of a larger initiative to continue to improve the reliability of electric service for customers throughout PPL's service territory.

The change will minimize potential power disruptions, while bracing for future needs due to new home development in the area, he said.

The new route will follow the existing one — including passing through the Long Pond, Lake Naomi, Wagners and Jack Frost substations — except for rerouting a one-mile section near Tobyhanna Township's Pocono Lake away from a wetlands.

"We'll actually reduce the environmental impact there," Wirth said.

The route crosses Interstate 380 just east of the Long Pond substation before crossing into Pocono Pines. It cross Interstate 80 just south of Jack Frost.

An "open house" public forum will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the American Legion Wilson Fisher Post 413, on 248 Old Route 940, Pocono Pines. There will be no agenda or formal presentation, but attendees will be able to talk to a project official about the project.

Once PPL receives public comment, the company will formally seek project approval this year from the Public Utility Commission. Construction is expected to begin in 2014 and take two years.